Garmisch-Partenkirchen Sports & Outdoors

Do not forget your sun lotion. You should always have it on. Not only does it protect your skin against harmful UV rays, but also against drying out in the wind and cold. Most ski instructors and ski patrollers have dried leather for skin when they get older. You want to protect yourself with a high UV factor suncream. Apply generously. After sweating heavily, re-apply. Re-apply at lunchtime as well. Wear a ball cap with a brim. Don't forget the sun bounces off the snow as well as comes from above, so don't forget to apply behind your ears, under your chin, on your neck, your wrists and hands if they are exposed, etc. Each square inch of skin should be covered with clothing or sun cream. The sun is stronger than you think at 3000m.

''During the winter time use double the sun protection factor than during the summer time. The UV rays are being reflected by snow and ice and also intensified by 13% per 1000 meters altitude. Moreover 80% of UV radiation is reflected by snow and sand.

Equipment: Dehydration is one of the main problems for the skin in winter due to dry air and cold temperatures. It may induce redness, chapping and cracks in the skin and can also worsen premature skin ageing. This is even more the case if you practice snow sports as wind and cold can further dehydrate your skin. Use a sun protection cream specially designed for winter, with appropriate protection against UV radiation as well as against dry skin, cold and wind" Source: www.pizbuin.com

There are so many walking trails in and around Garmisch. They are all well marked and many are maintained in winter. However, ski trails are not walking paths for you or for your dog. The ski trails are clearly marked with this sign indicating DO NOT WALK on the trail. It destroys the perfect grooming needed for classic cross country skiing. Also, when every where is white and clean, it is almost disgusting to see where dogs and relieved themselves everywhere. Please have some common curtiousy and respect the cross country skiers, their trails, and everyone's right to a clean environment. Thanks.

Equipment: Cross country ski equipment can be bought for between EUR150-300 depending on your ability and the quality. A set can be rented for about EUR10 per day. Needless to say, it is usually better to rent if you are only going to do it a few times, and do not know if you like it? Also, spring close out sales are the perfect time to pick-up last year's models and save up to 50-70% on new. Ski heil!

Within Garmisch the two trails branch out from the Hausberg Lodge - one in the direction of the Olympic Stadium, which is about 4 kms of trails, and the other in the direction of Grainau, which is about 8 kms in total. Therefore, within the city you can ski up to 12 kms and never be more than a few minutes away from the warmth and heat of one of the many lodges or restaurants along the base of the mountain between the Hausberg and Alpspitzbahn.

Equipment: Cross country ski equipment can be bought for between EUR150-300 depending on your ability and the quality. A set can be rented for about EUR10 per day. Needless to say, it is usually better to rent if you are only going to do it a few times, and do not know if you like it? Also, spring close out sales are the perfect time to pick-up last year's models and save up to 50-70% on new. Ski heil!

There are many cross country trails in and around GAP and towards Klais and Seeheld in the direction of Innsbruck, and around Ehrwald, Lermoos and Bieberwier in the other direction. The elevation in GAP is between 700-800 meters and the snow only typically lasts 6-8 weeks before warm weather and/or rain destroys the crosscountry ski trails. The other areas around GAP are higher up to 1000 meters so they hold the snow a little better.

Equipment: Cross country ski equipment can be bought for between EUR150-300 depending on your ability and the quality. A set can be rented for about EUR10 per day. Needless to say, it is usually better to rent if you are only going to do it a few times, and do not know if you like it? Also, spring close out sales are the perfect time to pick-up last year's models and save up to 50-70% on new. Ski heil!

I usally carry a shovel, probe poles, a first aid kit, a water bottle, a Swiss Army knife or Leatherman, a whisle, fruit & granola bars, gum, lip balm, sunblock, a dry under layer, ski goggles, an emergency blanket, and a water proof cushion to sit on in my 25-litre knapsack. And, sometimes my 0.5 litre thermos of coffee if its cold. Drinking warm water is better than cold water when it is cold out.

I wear my gortex outlayer - ski pants and ski jacket with hood - with the following layered underneath.

Synthetic=Polyester-nylon-wool blend.

Synthetic socks, underwear, t-shirt, shirt, fleece or fleece vest, and then I take off what I do not need and keep it my knapsack. I wear thick, jockey short style underwear for a little extra warmth for sitting on those cold chairlifts.

Of course, if it Springtime I might wear lighter variations, but on a glacier you have to be prepared for minus 20 degrees to above zero and sunny and warm. The best is to wear layers and be prepared to change often. You want to avoid sweating profusely and then freezing, which is not easy when you are working hard. Therefore, it is not good to be dressed too warm, but good to have extra clothes in your pack.

Equipment: I have switched to a 3-in-1 glove system. The outer, leather and gortex glove has very little insulation and is ideal most of the time. When I am ski touring or cross country skiing, I often only wear the glove liners. Then if it is cold, they can be combined. They are so light, I always have them with me in my pack.

Good sunglasses are a must. As is a hat and or a touque depending on how cold and windy it is. I wear a ski hat, as normal ballcaps will blow off with a sudden gust of wind or when you are skiing. Also, ski hats have ear flaps which make me look like Elmer Fudd, but I can accept that.

Serious skiers never go off-piste alone. They always ski in groups. Each member of the group should have an avalanche transceiver (make sure its turned on and you know how to use it), avalanche probe poles, and a shovel. Usually, you have these in your knapsack along with your first aid kit, a Swiss Army knife, a bottle of water, and some food. Each time you go out on the mountain, you should be prepared to spend a night on the mountain in an emergency. Therefore, it is also good to carry extra dry clothing, especially a dry underlayer, which is light, but worth its weight in gold on a cold day and even more when you are forced to overnight on the mountain.

Every year on new year's day there's the "Neujahrsskispringen" in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It's the 2nd stage of the annual four hill tournament (Vierschanzentournee). It's an amazing atmosphere here, 20000 people screeming "Ziiiieh" for every jumper.

Equipment: You definitely need a ticket in advance if you don't want to risk the event being sold out in the end. Then you need to dress warmly because even when it's sunny it can get quite cold in the shade. Warm shoes are most important, you will stand here for quite a long time so the feet will get cold otherwise! A camera with a zoom and flags to cheer for your favourite jumpers are good to have, too. But you will get all sorts of free advertising such as flags, caps etc here, too.